Jerry Garcia Band 9-15-76 S.S. Duchess NYC

Setlist:
Catfish John 00:55
After Midnight 15:32
Stir It Up 29:00
Tore Up 41:00
They Love Each Other 43:40
Stop That Train 52:57
Mighty High 1:04:00
Many thanks to BGA LLC for opening the vault.

[@brandoncargile847]

I love the sound of that ole Travis Bean Aluminum neck guitar. And I love watching John Kann baked as a christmas goose pounding out the bombs.

[@mauricecybervangelist9203]

Kahn had a bit of a heroin problem

[@brandoncargile847]

Maurice Cybervangelist Yeah, just a bit.

[@dougrobertson6616]

Maurice Cybervangelist Then what finally got him, lung cancer, from the most commonly used psychoactive and addictive drug in the US. Tobacco added to Garcia's early demise also.

[@markdonohue7744]

Doug Robertson Cocain OD few months after Garcia passed.

[@autistichead8137]

I don’t like watching anyone “baked” very sad.

[@TerryTolkinnnn]

When asked what was the most intense show I've ever attended, I always flash on this evening. I had never feared for my life at any concert before this one or since. I'd already been to over 50 Dead and JGB shows all across the country. It "event" was staged on a decrepit old harbor ferry, the S.S. Duchess, that had long been retired from public service. For good reason. We cast off from the dock hours late due to maintenance issues and a last minute FDNY "Inspection" and proceeded on an anything but a leisurely five hour cruise. I had just turned 17 five days before. Elephants Memory were scheduled to open. Rumors were persistent that John Lennon and Yoko Ono were going to perform with them as they had been showing up at the local NYC bands occasional shows. They didn't. Probably because Elephants Memory never even showed up themselves. Bo Diddly was also listed on the concert poster and in the print ads. He didn't make it to the dock either. No reasons nor refunds were offered up by the shows "hosts", the Manhattan chapter of the Hell's Angels. The whole shebang was ostensibly marketed as "Jerry Garcia's Birthday Party" although it was being held about a month after that blessed event. The boat was in deplorable condition. The one bathroom didn't function as such, it was just a place for junkies to shoot up in. Hells Angels were all over the place and none of them paid to get in. They were busy “working" by running the “security" on board. One of them had the temerity to grab the microphone and tell the band to: "Pick up the pace! We're here to see some Rock and Roll" after a couple of tunes! Fukin speed freaks. They got so out of hand that people were scared shitless. You had no place to run from their sudden outbursts of violence. I just tried to make myself as small and imperceptible as possible while tripping my brains out. The vibe was definitely not a psychedelic one though, it was more like NYC China White heroin, which had been killing junkies up and down Manhattan that whole year. I kept wondering what was splashing into the Hudson River shortly after we embarked North towards the George Washington bridge. Surely there can't be that much trash. Finally I realized that it was fellow concert goers that had somehow run afoul of the HA's. That didn't take much coaxing. A missperceived stare or not moving out of their way fast enough or maybe they simply didn't like your look and you were hustled topside and thrown overboard. Honestly, I couldn't wait for the show to end and be back at the dock.

[@leopoldmonaco7013]

I was sitting on the floor in front of Jerry the entire night and thankfully do not have the same memories as you do. ✌️❤️⚡️🐢

[@stevenhk8856]

They had a point about picking up the pace. Crikey, 1965 or 1966 Jerry could've played rings around this --- if only we could get that confounded time warp going!!

[@thaddeusk4230]

Bo Diddley did show and he did do a set. Don't know where the fck you were and there's a good possibility you weren't even on the boat with the nonsense you're speaking of. Btw, asshole, those splashes were nitrous tanks being tossed over. If a concert goer was sent overboard and drowned it would have been a big black mark in the annals of the band. I was so comfortable this night. Had an Angel slip on a wet floor right in front of us. Got up laughing, after we had asked if he was ok. You know what? You're a pansy, and you made this whole story up.

[@DrMitchMedina]

I was NOT at this show, but I did attend several Fillmore East concerts where a lot of Hell's Angels showed up. They scared the shit out of me, too, no matter how tight they reputedly were with the band. As wonderful as they were, and as much as I loved and still do love them, there was a dark underside to the Grateful Dead, which should not be romanticized away. As Donna (for whom I had no use, musically) said, after she and Keith left the band, "The Grateful Dead is not a benign thing."

[@jackwindrom253]

A wonderful nite. This was a Hells Angel sponsored party (for Sonny Barger who was battling a heroin rap out West and which was finally dismissed the following year ('77) with Elephants Memory (Lennon's backup band) along with Bo Diddley opening for JGB. Beautiful Sept. early evening as we cruised over on the SI ferry (found a whole script bottle full of black hash too :-) - seeing Harleys lined up all in a roiw along "The Battery" glistening in the fading sunlight. Chapters from Mass., Nebraska, and California as I remember. On board (around 7) we made our way up the Hudson. Video screens and bars on each deck. So much Nitrous (not my bag, but you'd think Jim Morrison was up there, the way the young chicks gravitated to the balloons being given out) on top deck - and eventually tossed over the side to the yell of "Man Overboard!". At around 17:50 the crowd gets a bit ecstatic and while the film doesn't show it, the Dutchess had turned about and sailed into her own wake and the boat began to 'rock' for about 5 seconds to the delight of everyone on board. I'm sure that's what Garcia mentions to Kahn a few seconds later. Nice ride, great evening (We berthed early morning 1-2am). This show was sealed in that silver mine till this beauty of a vid appeared.

[@hippiejohn7100]

Thank you !!! My KIND FRIEND !!! YOUR EPILOGUE MAKES IT THAT MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL !!! ✌💖🎶 ✨🎈 ✨🎈 ✨🎈 ✨🎈 ✨🎈

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

Yeah brother jack this pure dope,that would be a fuckin glorious party on that boat,everone loaded good fun and trouble.Respect and love to you and yours.Take care brother peace.

[@leonardvernon7176]

Nice writeup it was a special night. Did you see me under Keith's Grand Piano?

[@leonardvernon7176]

Was a fantastic time!!!

[@bradkruty5589]

Epic

[@michaelsmith-qm4ec]

It was a pleasure+ honor to join with JGB+ DAWG+ Other Jams- was so wonderful to blend with them sharing their unique Souls- Keep On Truckin- Thanks To All Who Make These Flashbacks Stay Alive

[@leonardvernon7176]

What a night...sat under Keith's Grand Piano🎉🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹 🎶💕💞💞💞💞💕🎶🎵🎉🎶🎶🎶💕🎵🎶🎵💞💕🎶

[@jperryfan]

Ah the infamous Pirates Ball. Note Free Sony Barger T Shirts. Nice mellow cruise around Manhattan with the Angels hosting the party. Amazing there is video. You rock Voodoo Nola! Long live Sonny!

[@georgemetesky5519]

White supremacists

[@tracedef]

Wowsa ... Keith and Donna .... Catfish John is an awfully odd song to open with but the Donna / Jerry harmonies were pretty awesome! Really slow tempos overall ... definitely a unique and short lived lineup for JGB....

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

God bless old mr catfish john,he was a peaceful hobo.

[@kowalski3769]

I like to think it was Jerry fuckin with them because of the noose hanging on the stage. 😅

[@newusernamehere4772]

​@@kowalski3769it's Jerry making fun of them but also making fun of himself lol, like the rest of the show

[@tomcasey7761]

Thanks for the video, my wife and I were there 48 years ago

[@beviris6413]

Thanks for posting this up. I was on the Dutchess. What an evening and experience. Angels and all!

[@jamescnix]

in the 80s we used to go on the "Blues Cruise" dancing onboard as we sailed around NY Harbor....... is that what the SS Dutchess was this show???!!!!!!! if so wow!

[@beviris6413]

It was totally wow! And then some!

[@Jason5000]

This venue is a friggin boat? So that's what SS in the description means...I learn something new about the Dead everyday

[@johnnydilgen5491]

I was there also, close to insanity.

[@bluesriot2]

lucky you !!!

[@rayapplegate3060]

I was here too, billed this show as the 'Pirates Ball'.. Big Angel, "Vinnie" keeping the line in order, fun times indeed.

[@bluesriot2]

there were a lot of very dangerous people on that cruise

[@acedwards3457]

Voodoonola2--You are awesome Brother!! At home caring for Dad with Dementia.. mostly house bound... If You get around Baltimore the Dabs are on Me!!

[@aprilriddle4740]

What a gem this is❤❤❤

[@156ellison]

Band looks and sounds nice and relaxed, REALLY relaxed.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

Best Donna pants fixing shots I've ever seen. Thank you for uploading this! Damn girlie sounds great too!

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

you can see why jerry loved john kahn so much :) t6hey get along so well on stage :)

[@gbaked]

This is a beautiful gem. Saw this band many times during the hiatus of '75-era

[@billc6087]

I saw a similar lineup about this same time period in Sacramento at a lovely little dive called Crabshaw Corners. At the time I was a mechanic at a little VW shop in town, and the owner of the club traded tickets to us techs instead of paying money. It was great!

[@stevoreno6266]

Great share. 🙏🏻

[@aprilriddle4740]

Awesome memory!!!❤

[@bluesriot2]

he didn't realize he actually paid you in gold !!!

[@gregggilmore7473]

Marley gold awesome.

[@Jeff-S]

59:00 Watch how fast he switches from finger picking to using his pick (exactly 59:05 to 59:06 ) 3/4 of a second.

[@michaelsmith-qm4ec]

Thanks for putting this Jam out- me saw them twice in Seattle+ once in Eugene Oregon- Dead Alive. Truckin On

[@leonardvernon7176]

No Maria Muldaur and no me under Keith's Piano? I was there! Maria was there! ❤️

[@bernieritters7206]

I saw The Jerry Garcia Band in the Eltingville Gym at Suny New Paltz,NY around that same time. Maria Mulduar warming up the night❤🎸🎵🎵

[@matty4fngrs]

Jerry does it as well or better than everyone else...love him bopping on Catfish John

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

Catfish john he was a peaceful hobo,he could of been my friend.

[@davarph]

I can't say I'm proud of this, but then again, the dissolution of pride, ego, self, all occurred the night of one Garcia concert at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, Ct; prob 78. On that night a man sold me 2 hits of what he said was half moon blotter acid straight from Cali. Being a young "curious trusting" Dead Head, I did one, literally saw God (white internal infinitely expansive White Light)!!!!, and put the other in my wallet only to find it mysteriously gone the next am. One shot deal with The Lord I guess, but really, that's all it took! Never the same again. Oh, & on the head phones that night in bed- Blues for Allah.

[@edcee1134]

God Bless my brother...local CT head here...

[@mauricecybervangelist9203]

It's called half moon for a reason. I don't know about it coming from Cali as we were buying it in Times Square at about the same time. That cid rocked. We turned a whole town on to it one night and the cops were fkn baffled.

[@rainbowpagun]

Maurice Cybervangelist it came from bear

[@davarph]

Well if it came from Owsley himself... Many years after he went to jail though?? He was the king in purification I hear. I had "experienced" many other trips which expressed themselves in a very visual, intense way. This was soooo different. As light as a gentle breeze. Felt absolutely nothing as I was driven home, just really high, and then I was gone and back, in one flash. Instantaneous. "That was weird"! Later while lying in bed in absolute darkness with eyes closed I spiraled down that internal colored lace tunnel until I somehow spun myself so small and condensed that I flew into an infinite expanse of pure white light. I seemed to have "transcended" all vibration and darkness that my mind held, showing me the underlying nature of Myself. WOW. What more can be said? Nothing will ever be the same. The "cover" of the world has been blown and I wish all my other "selves", all my brothers and sisters would wake up to the true nature of their higher self. We can all meet there. We will!

[@rainbowpagun]

yes we will 4gen from mex was just likeyou said Nothing will ever be the same wow

[@lindatheobald7789]

cool -- love donna's pants

[@implumkrazy]

i was born 10 to 20 years to late. i've saw the dead & jgb from 1983 to 1993 i would of loved to be there. thank for the vid up load

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

This is one of my favourites ,Fuck its the JGB ,thankyou to the soldier who put it up for us.Loaded and listening brothers,much love and respect.

[@troutvoice]

I knew that Jerry Garcia Band Played their shows in Color! Thanks so much for this. My life is Better because of it!

[@leonardvernon7176]

Sorry I didn't meet you Bev. it was an outrageous evening in New York. I was underneath Keith's Grand Piano 💕🐢🎶🎵♥️

[@jasonpierson2304]

is like a time warp. We all would sign up for

[@jonathanlindberg2488]

I'm very lucky to be watching it a friend of mine sent it to me. The infamous EJ straw

[@Scott420DL]

My birthday, I'd have been 7 and I bet I would have been awe even at such an early age!

[@wigginoutman]

Speechless.

[@CrustyWhiteBread]

This is soooooo awesome. I WAS 3. Still wish I could have been there. LOVE!!!!!

[@leopoldmonaco7013]

I sat in front of Jerry on the deck the entire night …mesmerized! He was the best and is missed every day ! ✌️❤️⚡️🐢

[@hippiejohn334]

Wow !!! So clear I almost feel like I am there !! 🎼💗😇To you and yours !!

[@londonerred1]

Holy smokes Voodoo! You are a genie out of the bottle!

[@sparklesmcgee]

Thank you. this is beyond words.

[@seansklenar3509]

this is awesome. wasn't expecting such good quality video. thanks man

[@drsss4625]

#########WEappreciateTHISconcertOFtheDAYinTHISbraveNEWtime!!!!!!!!!!

[@Sisudio]

keith is really playing funky here, he doesn't sound wasted at all, the way he often did with the dead.

[@lenbellacicco7068]

Saw them the next night at CW Post..1st Jerry show..age 15..

[@maureenny]

Nice!

[@maureenny]

Jerry looks like a baby!

[@rebeccamaker3084]

Many 🙏 thanks 🙏

[@ambush77]

wow...simply wow...... best video you have uploaded..

[@jperryfan]

Love those Mesa Boogie Amps he's playing through.

[@evoshandor11]

These videos are incredible. Wow man.

[@billy_madison]

its funny that during that gd 84 or 86 gd set bob started playing stir it up and he supposedly went up to jerry to ask if he knew the lyrics and he just shakes his head nope and then bob rusn to the mike to try and start the song....gotta love it.....tore up....yeah yeah yeah

[@MountainJamz]

Thank you so very much for posting! After midnight, I'm going to let it all hang out! Haha alright, Keep on Keepin On brother!

[@hippiejohn7100]

HEAVENLY !!!🎶💖🎶🌹🎶✌🎶🎈🎶😻

[@jeffj257]

absolutely WOW..thx for posting this

[@andreallain8758]

What a great show

[@briancarpenter3040]

Happy Birthday Jerry !!

[@gavvino1]

You updated it with better sound! Voodoonola you are the best.

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

One last comment: the Noose Hanging from the stage is a Nice Touch!

[@davepeterson9008]

Thanks voodoonola, you're the best, these gems you keep adding, or I keep finding, make an old head extremely happy. I'm forever grateful, and the couch tour keeps on keepin on

[@mangiapetardomangioskij8711]

DJG always out of everything.

[@ultzisakhain]

Love "Mighty High". One of JGB's best gospel tunes. Too bad it got cut off....

[@whittle4u]

Only Jerry could get away with stopping to tune, in the middle of the first song.

[@davarph]

:-) Yep! And only Jerry would have an audience that never minded! ;-)

[@katthomason1080]

Ha!~`~Gotta love that!

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

Dann DaMann We're a very forgiving bunch!

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

@ 10:20

[@bluesriot2]

used to drive me bananas

[@williewaycup1858]

Wow awsome to see such clear color video quality from an early JGB show. Theee must be so many jems in there so glad they let this one out to get some air and shine on again. Thanks so much.

[@joekimberlin264]

Hey, how about some ah.. of that cookin' music? get on down with dat boogie beat.. what a treat this is! JG on the TB500 through the Boogie Mk1 and K120s Dat Boggie Beat indeed!

[@muckstar23]

play faster or i will stomp you,...

[@brandoncargile847]

Oh God This has made my day. Thanks so much for uploading this timeless jewl. I feel like im in a club with about 20 people watching the Jerry Garcia Band and loving the groove. Man this is GRATE! Pun intended.

[@nellienelson2111]

Donna Jean 🥰🥰🥰

[@darwinrift]

thank you! so much! for this video

[@DragonTVSJC]

This is amazing! Thank you for posting!

[@johnkingston2913]

much love for this beeeeaby. #NOLADEAD

[@jfasso1618]

Keith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bhamss11]

dude you are the man! these vids are just so much fun to just rock out to wave that flag!

[@tiredcaballero]

Tanks Uncle BoBo!!

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

Voodoonola2, nice clear footage, great sound, Grate performance, 5 Stars out of Five! Thanks!

[@jessicalee1642]

Awesome shining Jerry- Thx!!

[@donnyjeffcoat412]

fantastic.

[@michaelkeane7145]

Oh My, Bless you sir!! Many many thanks

[@PinkFloydrulez]

fascinating little artifact

[@thomasclark6429]

I believe its Ronnie Tutt (spelling) who played with elvis

[@ReedRosson1987]

And my favorite singer of all time, Roy Orbison! He is featured on the Black&White Night concert too. I'm sure he played a little more than just that night with Roy but anyway, I recommend purchasing the DVD.

[@edcee1134]

Jerry....originating the 'indoor shades'...and always rockin it

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

Lights Too Bright!

[@autistichead8137]

Roy Orbison long before

[@alicedee5540]

Stevie Wonder too!@@autistichead8137

[@daveyboy8907]

Jerry was rocking the boat at 17.50...

[@VirginiaWolf88]

😀Love the opener😀

[@molliedash6126]

Heaven.

[@richardmoss5662]

very nice!

[@matthewmaguire3554]

In spite of one of the Angels requests for "Some a dat boooogie music"..I think Jerry kept it low key on purpose....A boat in the middle of the Hudson River and The Angels at full party mode might be "Too Interesting"....Hope this chapter makes it into the movie.

[@newusernamehere4772]

Maybe he just wanted to hear China Cat?

[@PinkFloydrulez]

this is the kind of footage i've dreamt about seeing... never for jgb, but hey, good's good

[@jonathansocha8223]

Even then I would thumbs up Maybe two thumbs

[@nadinesnoopy]

what a show !

[@robertstringer8932]

The JGB were sure enof letting it all hang out that day!!! What hoodspa playing for the H.A.'s doing their version of the gong show only instead of being gonged they hadda noose hanging from the rafters lol they went on to play a heckava show tho!!Doing that boogie beat as only they could!!!😊😊😊🌹🎼✌

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

47:39 Haha love that smile. Big cheereo!

[@keithgus4947]

So. Good .

[@Drumma75]

Bad ass Ronnie Tutt

[@drsss4625]

###########itsTHEconcertOFtheDAY

[@drsss4625]

One more time 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

[@sailingtheseasofhell]

if you're looking for the hell's angel demanding they pick up the pace it's at 14:45

[@stinkbomb13]

Wow sweet show. So cool to see this in color. Thank you. At what point did the bassist regret holding that smoke in his mouth for a 14+ minute jam? ha

[@prophetestimate]

John Kahn. Fucking killing it per usual.

[@rainbowpagun]

stanley was a kind guy very smart and he gave it away for the love of his brothers&sisters he said give some of that away and they will never forgot ya also told me lose lips sinks ships the real capt trips and yes that stuff was life changing for me the best time of my life be kind godance

[@praxiteleanhermes]

minute 52:00 you can see the sandoz hit the guy in the blue shirt

[@jaygreen9993]

thank you voodoo!!!

[@PaulMollica-n5r]

Good morning folks, so today is one day shy of 48 years when the Jerry Garcia Band decided it would be a good idea to take a bunch of dead freaks on an ocean cruise with a bunch of Hell's Angels... This ill-fated Cruise was aboard the SS duchess the year was 1976 ... I bring this up because I asked Jerry Garcia specifically about this when I was at Peter's house with him.. it was called The Pirates Ball... The stage came complete with a noose hanging down... So Jerry comes out and plays a weak catfish John this can clearly be seen on youtube.. so after,one of the Angels comes up to the mic and you can barely hear it but I saw him do it... he goes enough of this hippie b******* play some rock and roll.. so Jerry freaks out to say this was a nightmare is an understatement... Here's the story.. I was a plumber in New York and we heard about this show... i went down to the dock on the Hudson and took some very fine LSD... As the acid was coming on I heard the sound of engines I didn't realize it but in a moment I was surrounded by hells Angels and their bikes.. The Hell's Angels we're doing security to get on the boat... The guy asked me if I had any drugs I immediately took out my sucrets box and handed over some joints, Quaaludes, and some acid the guy said is that all? I said yes.. he then pushed me into the boat a few minutes later I saw Keith and Bob scher standing together... A hells angel asked a girl for a beer she has six pack.. she said f*** you their my beers... This was a tragic mistake on her part as the Hell's Angel decked her the beers went flying and a look of horror was on Keith's face ... Keith, you know the keyboard player.. so Keith and John quickly split this set the tone for this experience... Soon I'm tripping balls and Jerry had brought nitrous tanks onto the boat so after a very short set it's over and we're all in the boat in the middle of the Hudson River.. so I'm sitting there and I hear two loud sound of things hitting the water... I soon realized it's the nitrous tanks.. the angels had thrown the nitrous tanks into the Hudson... There was a brief moment where the sharp reality of what was happening came into my mind... Here I was surrounded by the hells Angels on a boat in the Hudson who had just thrown the nitrous tanks overboard ... I wondered what would the Hell's Angels throw overboard next... You see the dilemma... Thankfully I escaped with my life... Whoever thought this would be a fun time for deadheads and the hell of angels must have been high... Very high when they thought of this idea anyway one time they asked Jerry if you had one more to describe the Hell's Angels what would it be Jerry said scary man real scary.. so it Peter's house I asked Jerry about the Pirates ball and he just left you know what he said sorry man I'm real sorry.. what do you mean? He knew that he brought a bunch of dead freaks on a boat whith the hell is Angel that no one died in a miracle.. the angels are not known for their restraint... No what I mean? I love you so I had to get tonight oh have a good day... Peace Paul

[@Jason5000]

Friggin sauced up Angel wants that "Boogie Beat dare!" definitely from Mass...this was a very very dangerous place to be if act stupid! But oh so nice 👍🏻

[@leonardvernon7176]

Two bartenders and two girls got thrown off by Angels for fighting!

[@theelevan2]

00:10 Donna tries to block annoying girl from getting to Jerry while they are setting up.

[@acedwards3457]

Had a dear friend get backstage tickets and got near Jerry and just started yelling.. Jerry, Hey Jerry, hey Jerry.. Jerry.... She was removed.. Our other friend was like " No Im not with Her".. ... I'd have done the same..lol.. too many goodies and no common sense.. She was a sweet girl, passed away now.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

I think that Angel at the 15:00 mark might be under the influence of depressants.

[@johnfrank1774]

Here's an oldie but a Goodie: "Sonny Barger..... Lost.... In.... TIME!"

[@johnfrank1774]

Que dogpile and ensuing smashdown for disrespect. I've learned to be ignored rather well. If I grow to comfortable feeling invisible, I will end up prematurely dead, savagely hurt or at a great disadvantage perhaps.... I am not invisible to myself ;-)

[@johnfrank1774]

John Frank I always got a big kick out of it though.... Thank God for our friendly neighborhood Time Warners...

[@vedranbalic5918]

Anyone know what the story is behind that noose? Thought immediately of that Jerry interview where he talks about playing for his life. And then there’s that line in ‘Jack Straw’…. Is it like a symbolic stage prop? 😂

[@limpiiicken1949]

We all knew what that bassist was prepping the oven for ;)